Online shopping portal changes market setting for customers’ convenience

THE Jungle Online Marketplace is changing the retail landscape in the country, from having to visit shops to a virtual marketplace that sells products from a variety of retailers and brands.
It was established in 2021 by co-founders Demetri Allayialis, Chris O’Brien, Tom Bill and Michael Allayialis to give people access to products that would normally only be available in cities.
Allayialis said: “Our vision is to enable the widespread distribution of products to businesses and the public of PNG at cost-effective prices.
“With our optimised site, Jungle offers customers 24 hours, seven days a week, convenient method to order products for business or personally from the safety of homes.”
Jungle lists products from small-to-medium businesses (especially women) to corporate brands such as Brian Bell Home Centre, RH Trading and Agmark Gurias.
With BSP Pay also on Jungle Online Marketplace, anyone with a BSP account can purchase items on Jungle.
BSP Digital general manager Nuni Kulu said: “The payment landscape continues to evolve at a growing pace with consumer needs and or demands pushing for advanced convenience and cheaper options to purchase goods and services, household items, and utility payments.
“BSP understands that digital adoption will encounter geographical dependencies considering the service availability and reach, specifically in rural PNG.
“Jungle online will avail online shopping to 1.4 million customers nationwide and will play a critical role in aiding digital adoption and influence consumer payment behaviour in the 22 towns and villages where we expect to see an increased transition from traditional payments on to an alternate online payment service.”